YA RAB
Cert 15
120 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence
The very first words of Ya Rab set out an ambition to show that the worldwide stereotype of Muslims as terrorists is completely wrong.
And yet for nearly two hours it shows Muslims as terrorists.
Confused? Well, I cannot speak for the only other person in screen 20 of Sheffield Cineworld on Sunday evening, but I was.
Hasnain Hyderabadwala sets his stall out very clearly and yet his villain is an extremist Muslim cleric (Akhilendra Mishra) whose face looks similar to that of the infamous Abu Hamza.
This menace sets up a mall bombing which backfires when innocent Muslims are killed.
And yet he manages to deflect his many Muslim followers to commit yet more atrocities when he realises he may be fingered for the crime.
Lined up against him are a determined police officer (Ajaz Khan) and acclaimed Muslim doctor (Manzar Sehbai).
And there is also much emphasis on peaceful Muslims and those who try to help the police with their investigations.
But the actions scenes are cumbersome and, more importantly, the message which Ya Rab's makers intend to get across becomes muddled.
What about a movie about Muslims' good work that doesn't necessarily have to have a terrorist background?
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 4/10